Kingston declares state of emergency after gangs attack police

Demonstrators block a street on Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica. Four people have died in continued unrest by groups opposed to the extradition to the US of alleged drug trafficker Christopher 'Dudus' Coke Photograph: Mark Brown/EPA [see footnote]

Ross Sheil in Kingston

Monday 24 May 2010 19.54 EDT
First published on Monday 24 May 2010 19.54 EDT

Large areas of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, were barricaded against security forces last night as four people were killed during violence orchestrated by supporters of one of the country's gang leaders, who is wanted for extradition by the US.

The government declared a state of emergency on Sunday after supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke, who is wanted in the US for drug and weapons trafficking, attacked four police stations in the city, burning one to the ground. At least two police officers, one soldier and one civilian have been killed and several others wounded during two days of violence.

Last night, automatic rifle fire continued after dark and sections of the city remained barricaded off, with army trucks attempting to clear roadblocks in the Red Hills district.

The unrest was triggered after Jamaican authorities attempted to arrest Coke, acting upon a US extradition warrant. He is wanted on charges before the New York courts that he masterminded a drugs trade between Jamaica and North America.

In recent days, residents of Tivoli Gardens and neighbouring Denham Town, where Coke is believed to be holed up, began erecting roadblocks in an apparent attempt to prevent his arrest. The roadblocks began spreading to neighbouring and rival communities along the industrial corridor of Spanish Town Road.

Gunmen from these communities have also been acting in support of Coke in what police say is a co-ordinated attack on law and order. Residents in central Kingston openly mocked the police as they stood behind the barricades. "Only police I trust is a sleeping policeman I've run over in the road," said one. Another said in Jamaican patois: "Bus it pon dem," – a phrase meaning "fire on them", which was used by local people to encourage gunmen to attack the police.

Coke maintains considerable respect in these neighbourhoods for his strong maintenance of what is known as "one order", and for ensuring peace in the downtown area. Some fear that his removal will destabilise the area. Coke is often referred to as "president" in Tivoli – an indication of the extent of his power locally. Although police are unable to operate freely there, the area enjoys considerable security, attributed to his leadership.

The ruling Jamaican Labour party is also prominently represented in the neighbourhood, an area where political and gang networks are intimately intertwined. Under a relationship known as garrison politics, political parties shore up votes in communities by partnering with gangsters and using coercion and physical intimidation.

The prime minister, Bruce Golding, initially resisted the extradition of Coke, arguing that evidence gathered against him by wire-tapping had been wrongly obtained by the US authorities. Golding eventually capitulated in the face of intense lobbying by Washington.

On Sunday night, hours after imposing a month-long state of emergency, Golding went on television to address the nation. He said the gunmen were making "a calculated assault on the authority of the state that cannot be tolerated and will not be allowed to continue. The criminal element who have placed society under siege will not be allowed to triumph."

In the centre of Kingston yesterday, residents could be seen standing behind roadblocks on street corners. Several barricades appeared to have been erected by residents seeking to protect themselves, or to obstruct the police, who often have a reputation for corruption and brutality.

There were reports of the violence spreading, with shots being heard in central Kingston and trouble in Spanish Town outside the city, an area known for its high crime rate.

Since Jamaica achieved independence 48 years ago, there have been five state of emergencies. Those in 1988, 2004 and 2007 were related to hurricanes, while the exceptional powers imposed in 1966 and 1976 were political in nature, related to violence in the run-up to an election.

• This article was amended on 25 May 2010. The original photo caption read 'Demonstrators block a street in Spanish Town, Kingston, Jamaica.' This has been corrected.